Ideas of Henry Sidgwick, by Theme

[British, 1828 - 1900, Professor at Cambridge University.]

23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 1. Utilitarianism

It is self-evident (from the point of view of the Universe) that no individual has more importance than another

Full Idea:
It is a self-evident principle that the good of one individual is of no more importance, from the point of view of the Universe, than the good of any other, ..and as a rational being I am bound to aim at good generally, not merely at a particular part.

A reaction:
Showing that even a very empirical theory like utilitarianism has an a priori basis. Of course, the principle is false. What about animals, the senile, criminals, androids? What bestows 'importance'?

25. Society / D. Political Doctrines / 2. Social Utilitarianism

Full Idea:
Sidgwick's complex version of utilitarianism urges that institutions should be set in place to maximise utility, but that individual actions people undertake might not appear to be justifiable on utilitarian terms.

From:
report of Henry Sidgwick (The Methods of Ethics (7th edn) [1874]) by Tuckness,A/Wolf,C - This is Political Philosophy 1 Refs

A reaction:
This seems to be a specifically political version of utilitarianism, but isn't cited much by political philosophers who discuss utilitarianism.